Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has appointed Harriet Fear MBE, the Chair of Cambridge Ahead and Chair/Trustee of Cambridge Science Centre, to its Board of Governors.
Harriet has been at the heart of business in Cambridge since 2003, when she first arrived as a diplomat to set up and then led the national Government trade team for Life Sciences from Cambridge (a then new Sector Team at UK Trade & Investment) until 2009. Prior to that she served from 1987 with the British Foreign Office serving in 17 countries.
During her time with the Foreign Office, she carried out roles including Deputy Ambassador, Head of Press and Public Affairs, and Head of Commercial Services.
Half of Harriet’s diplomatic career was spent in the commercial field, helping small and medium-sized enterprises trade internationally.
Harriet was Chief Executive of One Nucleus from 2009 to 2017, which became the largest life science and healthcare membership body in Europe under her leadership.
She helped set up Cambridge&, which supports international organisations arriving in the city, leading it from its foundation in 2020 until the end of 2023.
Since January 2024, Harriet has enjoyed a portfolio career which includes a range of consultancy, pro bono and charitable work. As well as her roles as Chair of both Cambridge Ahead and Cambridge Science Centre, she is the founder of consultancy company HFA Ltd.
Harriet was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2016 for her services to Healthcare and Life Sciences.
Harriet said: “When I was asked to join the Board of Governors, there was no doubt in my mind it would be an honour and something I knew I would relish and, I hope, bring tangible experience and enthusiasm to.
“I have long been an admirer of ARU, partly because of its impactful prowess in education, but also really importantly because of its track record in entrepreneurship, outreach to the widest possible communities and commercial focus and acumen.
“I look forward to working closely with the rest of the Board on the diverse and deep portfolio of strategic interests and opportunities that ARU already has, and helping identify new ones. I hope my years as a diplomat will stand me in good stead for discussions about international reach in particular, and hope my knowledge of 22 years of being in Cambridge will support the Board’s longer term intent for Cambridge and the wider region.”
Clare Panniker, Chair of the Board of Governors at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “I am delighted to welcome Harriet Fear to our Board and look forward immensely to working with her.
“Her experience as a diplomat abroad and as a successful entrepreneur closer to home will be invaluable in taking ARU forward.”
